Fruit-gatherer



(No Model.)

W. W. HAYS.

FRUIT GATHERER.

No. 424,645. Patented Apr. 1, 1890.

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\VILLIAM \V. HAYS, OF BUNKER HILL, ILLINOIS.

FRUlT-GATHERER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 424,645, dated April 1,1890.

Application filed August 16, 1889. Serial No. 321,031. (No model.)

- such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertainsto make and use the same.

My invention relates to certain novel features involved in theconstruction of a fruitgathering device, the object of which is toenable the operator to stand upon the ground and reach upward among thelimbs of a tree and gather the fruit therefrom, and, while it isespecially applicable to gathering apples without bruising them in anyway, it is also equally well adapted to gathering various kinds offruit.

Proceeding now to describe the various parts forming my improvedfruit-gatherer, attention is called to the accompanying drawings, inwhich similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in allthe views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the jaws partly closed. Fig. 2 isa central longitudinal section showing the jaws open. Fig. 3 is a viewof the device used in opening and closing the jaws separated from theother parts. Fig. 4: shows how the movable knife is attached to the jaw.

Calling attention by letter to the several parts of the gatherer, A isthe body proper, which is preferably formed by a hollow tube of asuitable size bent at its upper end at graduated angles, so as to formthe elbow, as shown, while upon the inner side of such elbow is to beattached the housing B for the spring 0 and its accompanying casing O,which is properly suspended in said housing by axle d, which is firmlysecured to the sides of the housing, so as to form an axle for easing C,arranged to turn upon said axle.

WVithin the casing C is arranged the spiral spring 0, the inner end ofwhich is secured to the axle, while the outer end is secured to theinner side of the rim of easing O. This spring, arranged as stated, isfor the purpose of assisting in operating the jaws, as will hereinafterbe shown.

Holding a transverse position with the body proper is the outer jaw E,which consists of a thin piece of steel or other suitable material, thegreatest width of which represent-s the sextant of a circle, though thiswidth may be increased or diminished, as preferred, while the generaloutline of said jaw is such that it will snugly coincide with and fitinto the mouth of body A. The inner jaw D is formed in similar mannerand both are diametrically j ournaled to the sides of the mouth of bodyA, so that both of such jaws will have a position transversely with thebody. To the inner jaw I attach the movable knife F, which is formed tocoincide with the convex surface or jaw D, and is secured thereto byrivets f f f. A stationary knife may be secured to the other jaw, or thejaw may be made of a suit able metal, so that the inner edge thereof maybe sharpened. The ends of jaw E are properly connected by thesemicircular loop 6, to the middle of which is attached theoperatingpitman 6', extending inwardly and pivotally attached to theperiphery of the casing G, as indicated by Z, as by such means the outerjaw is operated. At a point on opposite the place to which is attachedpitman e on the periphery of easing G, I attach in like manner pitman d,which shall reach outwardly toward the lower point of the movable knifeF, secured to the jaw D, as shown, and by such means operate said jawand knife. Three parallel slots 11 i are provided in the knife F,arranged to engage with stationary rivets f f, projecting from the jawD, by the enlarged heads of which the said knife is held on said jaw insuch a manner as to enable the knife F to have a sliding or vibratingmot-ion, the object of such movement being to give a snapping action tosaid knife when in use. At the point Z, to which is attached pitman e, Ialso secure the inner end of chain I, which is arranged to follow theperiphery of easing C downward and reach sufiiciently out of the housingB to form a connection with operating-rod J. Before the pistons areattached to the periphery of easing O a proper degree of tension is tobe given to said casin g by means of the spring 0 therein inclosed, andit will be seen that when the chain is drawn downward such casing willrevolve upon the stationary axle, and by such means operate thepitmenand the jaws thereuntoattached that is to say, when the casing O iscaused to have an inward motion the pitman 6 will be drawn downward andthereby elevate the outer jaw, while the pitman d in like manner will beforced outward and by such means give an outward movement to the jawDandthe knife secured thereto, when the latter will reach sufficiently pastthe edge of the former to properly sever the stem of the fruit. When thedownward pressure communicated to the chain I by rod J is removed,spring 0 will cause casingO to rotate backward to the starting-point andthereby give a reverse movement to the pistons, and by such means causethe jaws to open in readiness to repeat the operation. The rod J,attached to chain I, may be more conveniently operated by meansofa leverproperly secured to the side ofithe body A.

ItW-ill be seen that I haveproduced a'simple, convenienaand effectivemeans for'accomplishing the purpose na1ned,and I desire to callespecialv attention to the means employed for opening and closing thejaws, as I claim novelty both upon the means foropening and closing suchjaws.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim asnew, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent,.is--

respectively, the volute spring within the easing and acting on the sameto hold the knife and the jaw normally apart, the chain secured to thecasing, and the rod secured to the chain,

' as set forth.

2. The combination of the body, the jaws I D E, pivoted to the mouth ofthe body, the rotary casing O, the loop 6, securedTto-the jaw E, theknife F, arranged upon the jaw D and having a series of longitudinalslots the pins on said jaw engaging said slots, the pitmen connectingthe knife and the loop c with diametrically-opposite points of thecasingO, and means for rotating said casing, asset forth.

In testimony whereof Iaffix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM W; HAYS; Witnesses:

F. Y. HEDLEY, J. C. WRIGHT.

